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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Buxus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Bees, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Plants can be grown as a small to medium-size hedge. They are very tolerant of pruning but are rather slow growing[188]. Wood - hard, valuable. Used in engraving[1].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in almost any soil that is well-drained[11, 200], tolerating light shade and chalky soils[1, 182, 200]. Tolerates a pH range from 5.5 to 7.4[200]. A very slow growing plant[1]. The foliage is pungently scented, especially when wet[245].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - stratification is not necessary but can lead to more regular germination[113]. The seed is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[138]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible in a cold frame. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c but stored seed can take longer[138]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of short side shoots with a heel, September in a frame[200]. High percentage[78]. Rather slow to root[K]. Nodal cuttings in spring in a frame. Fairly easy[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey EUROPE: Italy (Sardegna), Spain (s. & e. coastal regions & Baleares), France (Corse) AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Buxus balearica		Shrub	3.0	7-10	S	LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Buxus harlandii	Japanese Box	Shrub	1.0	6-9	S	LMH	SN	M	0	0	2
Buxus microphylla	Littleleaf boxwood , Littleleaf Boxwood	Shrub	1.0	6-10	S	LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Buxus sempervirens	Box, Common box, American Boxwood	Shrub	5.0	6-8	S	LMH	SN	DM	1	2	3
Buxus wallichiana		Shrub	2.0	7-10	S	LMH	SN	M	0	1	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Buxus - Lam.